Anger and fear for patients as strike delays operations

Lucy Clarke-Billings BBC News PA The resident doctors strike in England has begun after a dispute over pay between the government and the British Medical Association (BMA). Thousands of doctors are walking out over five days, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting insisting that disruption will be kept to a minimum. But several NHS patients have…

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Nurses union to reject pay deal as strike vote looms

Nurses will overwhelmingly reject their pay award in England this week, raising the possibility of strikes later in the year, the BBC understands. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has been holding a consultative vote on their 3.6% pay rise, previously describing it as “grotesque” to award nurses a lower increase than doctors, teachers, prison…

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Samaritans to close more than 100 branches

The Samaritans are planning to close more than 100 branches across the UK and Ireland, the BBC has learned. In a presentation to staff, the suicide prevention charity’s chief executive said “at least half” of their branches will close. Dozens of branches have voiced concerns, some fearing the proposals will lead to an exodus of…

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